In his first season as Rutgers coach, Steve Pikiell's top four scorers were Eddie Jordan recruits. Last season, two of his top three scorers were recruited by his predecessor as well.

That shouldn't be the case for Pikiell as he heads into Year 3. With a 15-player roster that includes just one Jordan recruit -- fifth-year senior center Shaquille Doorson -- Pikiell is eager see his rebuild take shape with his own charges this season.

"I love my team -- I know everyone says that, but we have good chemistry together, we have some unique pieces that I'm excited about,'' Pikiell said. "We're going to make some huge improvements. We have improved the last couple of years in every area, and I think we're going to continue that trend.''

John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Pikiell said having a roster full of his recruits helps from a relationship standpoint.

"I can speak to them differently,'' he said. "I know their families and I spent the time in their high schools recruiting them. So I just feel like I'm further along in my relationships. It makes it easier to coach them.''

Whether that translates in a winning campaign this season is anyone's guess. Pikiell is quick to temper expectations with his still-rebuilding program -- one seeking its first NCAA Tournament berth in 28 years.

Still, he'd like nothing better than to finish above .500 and be in the conversation for a postseason berth.

"These guys came here to play in the NCAA Tournament,'' Pikiell said. "That's our goal. That was my goal two years ago. We're closer now to it than we were two years ago. I think that's what you play for. I know my team, and it's a great goal to have. And that's what we hope to be doing.''

Fresh off a 15-19 campaign that concluded with a surprising run to the Big Ten quarterfinals, Rutgers returns seven scholarship players and welcomes a four-recruit signing class that includes multiple four-star prospects for the first time in a decade.

The 30-game regular season begins Friday, when Rutgers hosts Fairleigh Dickinson for a 7 p.m. tipoff at the RAC.